SPECIALTY STYLES
GEOMETRIC MICRO-REALISM This a modern tattoo style that combines geometric shapes, precise linework, and microrealism. MICRO-REALISM The tattooist should specialize in micro-realistic work. The technique and process is different for micro-realism compared to realism. The smaller the realistic piece is, the longer and more difficult it is to implement into the skin. Micro-realism requires the sharpest of all tattoo needles properly inserted without cutting/traumatizing the skin (causing a blow out or excessive bleeding where the ink will bleed out during the healing process). The artist must also understand color contrast very well. The smaller the area, the more precise the artist must be in the variation of detail and gray tones to create a realistic look without over-saturating the tattoo. This requires patience and small, tiny insertions of the needle. It may also require multiple sessions if the artist needs to see the healed results to continue, or if the skin becomes too irritated to continue. GEOMETRIC VARIATIONS The variation of gray tones and line thickness create a specific "technical" look. This style is unforgivable and very difficult to implement, as there is little room for an unsteady hand or uneven pressure when tattooing. This style requires a specific stencil printer and particular equipment that not all studios may have, so it's great to seek out a specialist when considering this style of tattoo. Geometric shapes (especially straight lines, squares and circles) may look warped crooked or uneven when placed on the skin. This is an expected illusion when placing geometric designs on a skin surface that is not completely flat. Choosing an artist that understands how to manipulate the stencil so it looks accurate on the skin is essential. Patience, time, repetition and multiple attempts to get the stencil on as accurately as possible is expected for this style. The composition of the body is used to create a type of  non-traditional sleeve or flash piece in which the negative space (non-tattooed skin) is a vital part of the design. The use of negative space is what makes the composition of this sleeve type unique. These pieces typically require multiple sessions.
MICROREALISM | REALISM a detailed, realistic tattoo that has been scaled down to a smaller size, requiring a specific technique and different equipment than larger realistic tattoos. The technique and process is different for micro-realism compared to realism. The smaller the realistic piece is, the more time it will take to implement into the skin. The smaller the piece, the more skill is required by the artist as it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve high contrast and a well-healed tattoo. This is why some studios or artists may tell you that they cannot do a piece that small (this is a responsible choice if the design is too complex to be scaled down or if the artist does not feel confident or have the proper equipment and skill to achieve the desired result). It is important to note that some tattoo design ideas should not be done too smalll or on certain parts of the body. A responsible and educatied artist should give you their professional opinion on this. Micro-realism requires the sharpest, smallest tattoo needles and a delicate, controlled hand to properly insert the needle without cutting/traumatizing the skin (causing a blow out or excessive bleeding where the ink will bleed out during the healing process). The artist must also understand color contrast very well. The smaller the area, the more precise the artist must be in the variation of detail and gray tones to create a realistic look without over-saturating the tattoo. This requires patience and small, tiny insertions of the needle. It may also require multiple sessions if the artist needs to see the healed results to continue, or if the skin becomes too irritated to continue. White ink may be used as a "placeholder", to create barriers within the tattoo that keep the black and darker tones from spreading over time. When done properly, micro realistic tattoos can heal well and last a lifetime. In most cases, the key to this is layering ink (which may require multiple sessions to ensure proper healing and longevity). Realism requires lightly layering the ink on the skin (as to not make it too sensitive or too red). Patience allows the artist to work without the skin getting too irritated. By avoiding redness, it is the only way to actually see lighter shades being applied... therefore getting more accurate and realistic results. ​ It will take patience and time to layer and brush in the ink rather than "packing" it the way a traditional artist does. This is what makes a tattoo look realistic and allows for detail and accurate shading. Breaks allow the skin to cool down (become less red) during the process Most Tattoos will need at least a second session once the tattoo is fully healed to see how the tattoo has healed and apply any corrections, highlights, and a final layer of depth to the tattoo. ​ ​
FINE LINE | TINY TATTOOS Fine line work, sometimes referred to as "tiny tattoos" are done with the smallest, sharpest needles and typically consist of very thin, fine line-work  with little to no shading. Clients often wonder why fine line (tiny tattoos) have an increasingly higher hourly rate than - what seem to be - more "complex", larger tattoos. The short answer is the smaller and more simplistic a tattoo is, the more difficult it is to implement into the skin without an imperfection or blow out. There is essentially zero room for error. The smallest change in hand pressure, tilting of the needle while in the skin, pulling once inserted, etc. can cause an imperfection- an uneven healed line, a blow out, fading from excessive bleeding, a "dot" where the needle was inserted or taken out from uneven pressure. Choosing a fine line or realism specialist will ensure that you are trusting an artist that works with this type of needle, high level of pressure and detail on a daily basis. Particular equipment is required such as a particular stencil printer, specific machines, and needles that may not be available to the artists at a general street shop. For these reasons, we recommend a specialist artist or a specialist studio that offers fine line tattoos.
ORNAMENTALÂ This tattoo style consists of small, delicate, variations of dot work, droplets and other small ornamental elements to create a patterned, larger design. This style uses the unique composition of the specific person's body, essentially "decorating" the natural curvature of the person. Popular areas for ornamental work are the shin, the chest, the back, or the top of the wrist leading to the front of the hand. Some may say it resembles henna or a delicate tribal work. Different shades of gray, as well as black ink, are used to create a delicate look and add some dimension to the piece. These designs do not typically have shading in them. Ornamental tattoos are done with the smallest, sharpest needles. A specific technique is required to ensure that too much ink is not accidentally inserted. into the skin as it requires exceptionally less ink than more traditional tattoo styles. These delicate, quick incisions into the skin are a unique skillset done with particular equipment. The small details should heal consistently and should not excessively spread or bleed together over time (blow out) if it is done properly. A specific stencil printer is also required for this style to ensure a precise, clean pattern is transferred to your skin. If the stencil looks messy, the tattoo will look messy. The beauty of ornamental design work is in its precision and attention to detail. Not all general tattoo studios will have this printer, proper machinery or specialty needles required for this style. A speciality studio will have the appropriate equipment to give you the best results. The technique for this style requires a fiercely consistent, precise, and light hand that general artists may not be particularly used to. For this reason, we recommend a specialty artist or a specialty studio that is experienced in ornamental. You may notice that the hourly rate is generally higher for this style due to the demand of proper equipment and the specific expertise required to implement it well.